Disclaimer: This is my blog and the opinions and views belong to me. All images are found on the internet and are believed to be part of public domain. All images posted are believed to be posted within my rights according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.) if credit for image is available, it will be posted with the associated photo. If you own the right to an image and would like for it to be removed please email tb.3296@gmail.com and it will be removed promptly. – Travis

Clothing

Do not get me wrong here folks I am not bragging about my finances, not one bit. I do understand that some people may not agree with this post on the basis of…”Everyone does not have it like you, Travis.” Which I totally understand but just like them I do not have it like others! I have put in my work and will continue to do so.This is a simple post about how I feel when it comes to my generations finances and how they need to be better! Along with what can be done to have better finances. A lesson may be taught from this. Yes, you may have something that is above zero but do you know how to spend it? So you saying “I got money” will be “I had money” in a few right?

Within our generation and I am speaking for the 90s babies majority of us do not know how to save money or what to do it (from what I have seen). Unless it is something illegal (weed) or something that is not a must-have such as sneakers, then we will spend our money on that faster than we will spend it on buying a car or anything else that is deemed important. How do I know? At one point I was guilty of this and some of my friends were too. So who put me on point? My oh so wonderful mother also known as The Finance Bar. Some of us have grown out of it due to it happening within our younger years! “What are you getting at Travis?” is what you may be asking. What I am getting at is that….IT IS TIME TO GROW UP PEOPLE!!! It is time for us to grow our money! Yes, I know it can be hard. But are you willing to sacrifice? That is what it is all about. For example, if you do not know I am a military guy so I have spent overall maybe three months of time just dealing with military stuff. As a result, I did not see my friends and family, missed out on parties…I EVEN MISSED OUT ON MY UNIVERITY’S HOMECOMING AND WE HAD WALE THAT YEAR!!! Aside, from that when I was in high school I worked at Chick-Fil-A, and if I could help it I would work every day other then Sunday, of course, to make sure I had that extra cash. That was around the time I figured out how to pay for skip lines at parties. Yea, I am that guy….RIGHT UP INTO THE PARTY I GO!!! I refuse to wait outside and you should too. It was all because I saved and I am not the only one who has done it! I know plenty of people who put in that extra work and you can too. You wanna know what you can do? Let me tell you:

Limit your spending habit. A budget is always good to have.

Whatever you receive put 10% of it in your…SAVINGS ACCOUNT!! That is what it is there for… to save.

Know when to say “no” to outings. If you do not have it you do not have it. (Not having it does not mean broke it means that whatever it it does not fit within your financial goals)

If you work take up some extra shifts. Maybe another job if you are able to. There is nothing wrong with the “you are always at work” it’s because you are always at the bank. HA!! (College students finding an on-campus job saves gas and time)

If you are willing to make a time to sacrifice and commit, join the military either full-time or part-time. Unless your job calls for it….YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WAR!!!

Stop buying clothes for every single party! No one likes a broke socialite.

Illegal substances and alcohol you do not and I repeat do not….NEED THEM!!

Those are just a couple tips I do myself and they work for me. I have had those late nights and nights where I wanted to give up but you can’t. Use this year to get to those #lifegoals that you post on IG. Overall folks, it is time to put in real work which is sacrificing just a little bit. You will thank yourself and your bank account later!

Do not get me wrong folks…..I love the clearance section of any store but am I the only one that peeped that majority of them are quite weak now! Like back in the day in my middle school years and some high school years (I am a college junior now) it felt as though all of my little “fashion weirdness” dreams would be answered by the clearance section. Now, it feels as though those dreams have become nightmares for not only my outfit game but for my pockets too. Keep up with me on this! Like this man in the background…but I will be moving at the speed of Nicki Minaj!

So let’s touch one of my “favorite” mainstream stores that I want to low-key work at…Urban Outfitters (UO). For years I have shopped at this store through its good times and bad times I was always there. At that wooden desk with my little debit card praying that it goes through. Even though I would have a hand full of nothing but clothes that were past its season. No issue to me! I would run into that store and push everyone out of the way just to go through the many racks of clearance. I would find anything everything from jerseys to pants that actually fit me. I was so happy…..but as time went by the racks got smaller and the 50% clearance sale did not happen as often. So I went from running too fast walking to a slight shuffle into the back of this store. Now, the clearance section feels just as expensive as the main floor with lame clothing.

Why do I think that is? One, UO is one of the biggest hot spots now when it comes to Urban/Hipster clothing so of course prices are going to go up and things stay out a little longer on the sales floor. (My HBCU has taught me a little something-something.) Secondly, we are within an age of fashion where everyone has the talent to make something for someone. Well, let me not say everyone but majority of people and if someone does not have that talent they know some who does. I mean for me having my own clothing brand for this Christmas seasons people have dropped the mainstream stores and started shopping with me! So I cannot complain too much. Finally, people gotta save their money so UO along with other stores is trying to cut back on their losses.

What is to be taught from this?:

The 90’s baby age group has deaded the whole concept of being trendy just a little bit and trying to be smarter with our money. I mean let’s face it most of us are in our 20’s. We are going to leave all that expensive stuff to the 2000’s babies.

Mainstream stores are starting to lose their audiences that they have been supporting them for years. (Another example: American Apparel)

D-I-Y (Do It Yourself) or LSDI (Let Someone Do It) I made the second one up but besides that those are the two ways to go as of right now. If someone can make you something that is custom to you for just a couple of dollars extra or same price as store stuff you are more willing to get it. Which makes sense. Along with DIY stuff if you can do it…..why buy it? I mean let’s be real if you know that you can make your own “Yeezy” Season hoodie or your own clutch why buy it?

As a college student owning a small business things can get pretty hectic. I mean the balance between mid-terms along with finals and creating a new collection and gathering the new art and paying folks on time…sounds easier said than done. But there are some things that this small clothing brand owner has learned over the years.

Using What You Learn in Class towards Business

Due to me being a mass communications major and a psychology minor I learn a few things that I put towards my business. For example utilizing thirty seconds and at times keeping things simple to show off a bigger picture….if you get what I am saying. For example, the pop up shop event that my brand hosted I utilized simple colors and a simple background for the flyer instead of clogging it up with unnecessary things. Due to me learning in my psychology class that you if you give the mind too much to look at it will stop paying attention and move on to something else. Along with learning in my mass communications class if you present something that has too much going on the public will not know what you are promoting. (Oh and yea that was my event in the featured image section)

2. Utilizing your University

Being a student you meet many…..many….many…many….many people (plus my school is beside another HBCU) so I know a lot of other students. Which means I have nothing but talent around me and other African Americans who have the ambition to work hards for their ending goals in life. So when it comes to art I will see if a student can do it or when I need pictures taken I’ll try to find someone on campus who does photography. Majority of the time if the person is just starting out they may charge you (small fee) or run you the free ninety nine special. No matter what it is you will feel better helping someone out and building them while they help build you.

3. Your Campus Is Your Support System (No Matter if you Mess up)

When I became an official student of Claflin University I did not know what to think when it came to my business due to it being based so heavily in Charlotte, North Carolina but…..after a few conversations with some students who have some social pull within my school. The whole campus opened their arms to my business and said “come on it there is more than enough room for you” so that is when my brand began to get invited to show in events on campus. Overall, folks wanted to buy my stuff. My campus became my major support system along with one of my biggest marketing tools….like let’s not forget everyone is going home with my stuff and when they wear it hope their friends are asking where they got it from….but I cannot tell y’all all of the secrets.

4. Knowing How to Budget that Small Bit Of Money

So as college students for funds at some point may be slow! Even though I have some income streams there has been times when….something was not adding up money wise. With that money I am receiving I am able to still have the nights where I want to eat some unhealthy Cook Out but still be able to pay the monthly fee for my website among other things such as restocking on shirts and hats. I have had to scale back and eat majority of my meals in the cafe and not once step foot off campus to a fast food…all in sacrifice for my small business.

5. Friends Will Help You No Matter What

Do I hear free volunteer work and creative advice? Yes, I do. My close group of friends help me out more ways than one. They even purchase everything that they own of mine and never ask for anything for free. Along with if I send them an idea they will tell me in the most blunt way…..”Travis that is ugly we need something better.” Due to the fact of they all have creative minds like me. If you do not have that within your group of friends there is someone who can give you advice. Along with any events I work they are more than willing to help me run my table at no charge….or they may just want some food or a simple milkshake. Your real friends will help and support you with anything just make sure you do the same for them.

Overall, my experience with owning my business has been quite positive. There are days where things do not look the best but I know that I can and will turn it around and make it something amazing! So for all of my college students it may seem difficult to own a business and be a college student but once you get things down packed and know what you are doing things will become second nature. Stay blessed!

On the night of October 19th, 2015 Drake released the visual for the #2 song in the country “HotLine Bling”. Aside from the amazing women and the slight caribbean dancing at the end the video is something serious. Wasn’t too much going on like I thought there was going to be. All he had was some colorful lighting and a pretty much a box he was in and called it a video. Overall I give the video 9.5 distracting Drake hand motions out of 10. Now…I do enjoy Drake’s music but to me he is another Kanye when it comes to dancing like they try to dance and they feel the music but it doesn’t show just the way it should. I digress he can do that he has the money and the power I am just a little o’l blogger trying to get his 4-year degree. Here is the video (Click on the GIF):

Now, for my sneaker heads who are wondering where you can cop those Nike ACG Manoa Drizzy Drake had on they can be found on Foot Locker’s website. In my oh so cool technical savy way I have attached the link to the picture and it will take you right to the page to purchase them. I just might cop a pair these are in my budget.

You have to interpret what’s hot to make it work on yourself. If tweed suits are in, but you’re not a suit kind of girl, wear the jacket with jeans and a pair of Converses. – Rachel Zoe

Now since it is getting a little cold all of us need a good jacket/coat. So maybe my list can either help you get an idea for a jacket or have you buy one of these nice pieces of clothing to keep that body of yours warm. Oh to make it easier to find I have the links attached to the photos when you click on them:

Let me start simple….a denim jacket from your local Forever 21. A denim jacket in the fall is a jacket that you cannot go wrong with it. Even though some people do. Oddly, this jacket can go with many things from a dinner with friends at a local upscale restaurant with a white long sleeve collared shirt, wide brim hat, and a pair of burgundy chinos. On the other side it can go with your favorite pair of Adidas with a pair of joggers with a long sleeve Stussy sweater with a basic snapback.

Next, is one of my favorites but is a little bit too expensive for my taste but I will have it within my dormitory closet one day but not soon. You can find this jacket online on the Supreme website. I think this jacket can be worn but you have to wait till it is pretty cold but it can worn with anything almost like the denim jacket it can go from classy to urban but stay more on the urban side with this jacket. Just this jacket is more of a head turner if worn make sure that people around you know that this fur is fake. Just in case PETA is around with their red paint/blood and then you are out of $348.

Well…well….we meet again wool blend this time you are not what I expected. For the longest I was not a fan of wool blend jackets just because of how itchy they can be. Now, I’ll take the itchiness for what it is and buy this coat because it is something that I will only wear to those high priced banquets at my accredited university. This jacket to me is strictly for those high class moments in life but you can go against the grain and wear this with a pair of your favorite jordans with a pair of ripped jeans and a basic white t-shirt and wear a fitted of your favorite basketball team.

Now this jacket I have tried on personally and I love it as you see in the gif. Reason being I am going through this strange time in my life where I am obsessed with any piece of clothing that is longer than my torso. Quite awkwardly I wore this jacket with shorts bought from DeadHeart NYC and it actually looked somewhat good so this jacket can be worn with short but only the right pair. This long bomber jacket to me can be worn with plenty outfits but it all depends on what color you buy. I prefer the olive green due to the fact that it is always good to have on a warm color during the fall with any outfit.

Now for my favorite jacket that I have been wanting so bad but I just cannot afford it just yet. It is the Vfiles (favorite online store) Sports Plus puffer jacket. Simply put this jacket will turn heads and break necks. This is the type of jacket you step out in and have no regrets about it no matter what the outfit is. From wearing Nike slides to those Rihanna Puma Creepers that I have been wanting so bad but they do not have size this jacket is a conversation piece.

Now I know it has been a few days since the Video Music Awards but I still have to give my opinion. I am a college kid so I stay busy….BUT HERE I GO!!!

First let me start with Miley Cyrus who was the host. I mean no harm and I do not mean to offend anyone or her but….I DID NOT ENJOY HER AS A HOST!!! Now as a person she is great and her music I do enjoy but as a host not so much. I mean let’s be serious we know Miley as a Disney star gone wrong in almost a positive way as if she branded herself into a new person even though we know where she started…Hannah Montana. Now her performance to me was kind of expected. I knew it was going to be something outrageous so that was nothing new to me. But overall she is cool but as a host she….IS NOT!!!

Kanye West is running for president in 2020. Along with him announcing that he also pretty much bashed MTV for flawing his image with the whole him getting on stage and stealing Taylor Swift’s shine. Now him running for president sounds pretty cool to watch if he really does because…What political party will he be tied to?

Rapper Nicki Minaj and singer Taylor Swift made up after their little Twitter beef or whatever you want to call it going on as they performed together. Which was fun to watch nothing special there.

Now time for the biggest thing that happen….NICKI MINAJ WHEN SHE FLAMED MILEY CYRUS FOR RUNNING THAT MOUTH!!! I laughed for one whole hour and kept replaying it because Miley did not know how to reply back to Nicki. Now if you did not know what Miley said before the VMA’s she said to a New York Times reporter:

“People forget that the choices that they make and how they treat people in life affect you in a really big way. If you do things with an open heart and you come at things with love, you would be heard and I would respect your statement. But I don’t respect your statement because of the anger that came with it. […] If you want to make it about race, there’s a way you could do that. But don’t make it just about yourself. Say: ‘This is the reason why I think it’s important to be nominated. There’s girls everywhere with this body type.I know you can make it seem like, ‘Oh I just don’t understand because I’m a white pop star. I know the statistics. I know what’s going on in the world… But to be honest, I don’t think MTV did that on purpose. What I read sounded very Nicki Minaj, which, if you know Nicki Minaj is not too kind. It’s not very polite. I think there’s a way you speak to people with openness and love. You don’t have to start this pop star against pop star war. It became Nicki Minaj and Taylor in a fight, so now the story isn’t even on what you wanted it to be about.”

So of course with that Nicki Minaj felt the need to address it on the VMA’s with her acceptance for winning best hip-hop for “Anaconda.” Everyone was thanked including her pastor and then she said:

“And now back to this b— that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press,” Minaj snapped. “Miley, what’s good?!”

After those words parted her lips #ClapBackSeason began. Miley replied back by saying:

“Hey, we’re all in this industry, we all do interviews and we all know how they manipulate s—,” she replied. “Nicki, congratulations.”

With Cyrus saying that her mic has already been cut off and she was saying:

It has arrived the video that we have all waited on for so long. Just a couple of minutes ago rapper Nicki Minajposted video clips and some pictures of the new video “Feeling Myself” featuring no other than The Queen Bee herself…BEYONCE!!! Now the video and song is them pretty much bragging on themselves which there is nothing wrong with if you ask me I mean they have a lot to brag about. Now here is the catch for the whole music video….ready….get ready….YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MEMBERSHIP THROUGH TIDAL TO WATCH THE WHOLE VIDEO!!! So little bloggers like me can’t get to it unless I pay up some money. Tidal is a new music streaming service created by Jay-Z (Wifey was looking out) so it is comparable to Spotify and Youtube. On the flip side both artist are part of the huge A-List of folks who have partnered in with Jay-Z for Tidal. Some of the reactions to it where quite funny to me. Here are a few…

(Source: E-Online)

As you see some fans were not too excited about being almost lured to buying a subscription. I am just waiting on either artist or some kid to leak the video to the general public for all of us to see or put on Tumblr. Now on to some of the fashions within the video Nicki Minaj is wearing Moschino and Discount Universe. Beyonce is wearing some Off White now for the only looks no designers have stepped up yet but I will be looking. Overall the video from what I have seen will most likely be noted in music video as a simply great video.

“I ain’t fuckin’ with that Been Trill swear them niggas booty like Tip Drill” and “HBA shit is weak, you can keep that” (which he said twice he must be pissed with them) are lyrics rapped on A$AP Rocky’s Multiply track featuring Juicy J. With those lyrics it coins the question does A$AP Rocky have the say so with who stays and who goes when it comes to fashion? Some say yes others say no. My honest opinion since this is #TravisSpeaks I say yes he does have the power due to his strong force within fashion when it comes to bringing some brands and designers to the forefront for example Raf Simmons and Rick Owens. Let me put this in perspective in 2011 when his debut mixtape Live Love A$AP was released a close relationship was being made with designer Jeremy Scott (one of my favorites) from seeing a pair of Jeremy Scott for Adidas sneakers in his Out of This World music video and even mentioning him within the song while listing a list of designers/brands to doing an interview together for Complex to releasing a sneaker together for Adidas. On top of that Jeremy and Rocky having a moment while having a mini documentary SVDDXNLY by Noisey. So would you say he gave Jeremy Scott his big break? Even though I knew of Jeremy Scott before Rocky not too many other people did until he wore a pair of his sneakers and clothing. Now on to the slight diss by A$AP saying those lyrics he started a small revolution against the brands to where folks have started burning their Been Trill and HBA (Hood By Air) clothing. HYPEBEAST?!?!?! Very much so. But that’s none of my business. The lingering questions from the lyrics would be “What credit is he speaking of?” and “Didn’t those brands give him his start?” “Didn’t they give each other a big start?” Here are my answers to these questions if I was asked about the topic. These are my opinions *Uses interview voice*:

– What credit is he speaking of? The credit I think he is speaking of is how it was almost not recognized by these brands that they had a big artist like him endorsing their brand. Maybe a collection devoted to him.

– Didn’t those brand give him his start? They made him a bigger artist within fashion rather than musically.

– Didn’t they give each other a big start? Once again within fashion they made him bigger but with the brands he slightly did make them more prominent.

Overall I say A$AP is doing his thing when it comes to fashion he is a big piece of real estate when it comes to brands when he wears it others follow within the urban fashion community so maybe he is the judge and jury. Cause he did say in this lyrics “I’m the motherf*ckin’ Lord of this fashion shitDon’t I deserve just to brag a bit?Set the blueprint, fuck your two centsNumber 1 stunner, ask Tumblr if I’m accurateMy motherfuckin’ swag is immaculate”

With that being said here is a video by one of my favorite magazines and website Complex with more information:

Now other than loving to serve my two cents on celebrity gossip I love style/fashion since they are two separate things but I won’t get into that today that’s for another day. Now Riccardo Tisci an Italian fashion designer who’s the creative director of Givenchy, which is one of the most respected French fashion houses has this ongoing collaboration with Nike on their iconic Air Force 1’s and they have once again released another amazing collection. Just like the last collection the newest collection comes in four different cuts. Of course the most popular cuts the low and mid then you have the high and boot cut are included also and to be honest I want every single pair if I could afford them. But guess what being a college student I may have to buy the replicas but I digress. The white outsole, grey upper that gives a nice muted touch and beige colored leather with a bit of ornate black this collection is what’s needed for the seasons I mean look at em I see some vintage acid washed Levi jeans. I can also see a pair of black joggers or even a pair of Chubbies shorts but that whole outfit is up to you. The slight nod that he made to the tribal roots of this collection is explained by Riccardo, “Everyone in the world needs identity so they are all making themselves into tribes.” He continues by saying, “They are more Goth, more pure or more punk, more rap, more R&B …You can have a million different tribes, but it’s always one thing that unites them.” I’m thinking that was the inspiration for the last collection also. October 16th is the day for this collection and hopefully I’m not too busy with essays and online test and I’ll cop the high cut pair. Let me call mother. Hopefully that refund check comes before than too. I’ll pray on it. To keep up on these release head over to NikeLab.

Yes, I was gone for a while but I’m back with a vengeance. Now most of us don’t know too much about the CFDA Awards which stands for Council of Fashion Designers of America. Where top designers and celebs are awarded with awards pertaining to fashion. This year Rihanna won the “Fashion Icon Of The Year” which she did deserve. Now even though everything was hand claps and pats on the back….MS. RIHANNA ISN’T PLAYING ABOUT HER NIPPLES!!! Now as a male I love the look. As a fashion enthusiast I’m in love with the look because it looks amazing plus it’s a custom piece by Adam Selman that had 216,000 Swarovski crystals on the gown, according to Billboard. Now let’s get down to the reason I was really making this post. Rihanna loves her boobs we have seen that countless times from when Instagram banned her account for a little bit for posting the picture of her for Lui Magazine. Where she once again had her boobs out. The white folks down at the IG office were saying your boobs cute and all but we have kids on this site @badgirlriri we gone have to shut you down real quick. That may have not been their exact words but that’s just the overall meaning of the quick deactivation. I see nothing wrong with the look I mean it’s Rihanna we don’t know what to expect out of the little lady from Barbados. She’s one fashion icon out of a couple in this century who we will never know what she’s going to wear next. To me the look is classic with a slight KOD stripper twist that I love. I see it don’t you? Too many folks didn’t feel the same, from what I’ve read some people hated the look and don’t want to see her ever again. What do y’all think about it? Let me know. #TravisSpeaks